On Friday, an American woman was killed during clashes between Israeli soldiers and violent Palestinian protesters near Nablus in Samaria (the Northern West Bank. The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) activist, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, was reportedly shot by IDF troops. She was a 26-year-old originally from Turkey.
The Times of Israel reported that another individual, a 13-year-old Palestinian girl, was also killed in the violence when extremist settlers stormed a village near Nablus and clashed with villagers. The circumstances of both deaths remain unclear.
The International Solidarity Movement has been noted as a radical organization by NGO Monitor. While the group claims to use non-violent protest, it also provides rhetorical support for violent “resistance.” Some terrorists have been linked to the group in the past. ISM activists often seek confrontation with Israeli authorities in dangerous situations. Rachel Corrie, who was killed in 2003 while protesting against an Israeli bulldozer, had also worked with the ISM.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently visiting the Dominican Republic, expressed his condolences to Eygi’s family and emphasized the importance of gathering facts before determining any actions. The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, stated that the Biden administration was pressing Israeli authorities for an investigation but would not take further action until all relevant information had been collected.
In light of these tragic events, it is crucial to understand and analyze the roles played by various organizations involved in the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters, as well as the complex web of international politics at play.